The Potential of Utility-Scale Hybrid Wind – Solar PV Power Plants Deployment: From Data to Results. A Simplified Application for the Spanish Potential

The deployment of utility-scale hybrid wind-solar PV power plants is gaining global attention due to their enhanced performance in power systems with high renewable energy penetration. To assess their potential, accurate estimations must be derived from available data, addressing key challenges such as: (1) spatial and temporal resolution requirements, particularly for renewable resource characterization; (2) energy balances aligned with various business models; (3) regulatory constraints (environmental, technical, etc.); and (4) cost dependencies of different components and system characteristics. When conducting such analyses at regional or national scales, a trade-off must be achieved to balance accuracy with computational efficiency. This study reviews existing experiences in hybrid plant deployment, with a focus on Spain, and proposes a simplified methodology for country-level analysis.